About our Philosophy...

Family Therapy Associates, "a center for positive change" is co-directed by Dr. Debbie Swayman and Karen Kaplan. As therapists, their solution oriented approach helps clients find new ways to approach problematic, troublesome issues.

In addition, Karen and Debbie use their positive approach and training when working with clients who are seeking coaching services, helping them to discover new paths to fulfill their dreams.

Both Karen and Debbie are Qualified Administrators for the Myers Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) and Strong Interest Inventory®, widely respected assessments, which they find useful with many clients who enjoy and appreciate a more concrete basis from which to begin to expand their personal horizons.

Their mission is to provide the community with excellence and caring services. They created a formidable, partnership which utilizes their unique expertise, perspectives, experiences and interests to provide comprehensive services. In addition they have established and created new and unique programs for specific areas of interest, filling specific needs identified through contact with the community at large.

Karen Kaplan, MS, MS Ed

Therapist and Director of Psychological / Educational Programs

Karen is known for her engaging style and her warm sense of humor, which clients say makes them feel at ease and comfortable. Her area of interest and focus is on couples and families who say they are “stressed out and stuck” and are struggling with communication and relationship problems. She also works with many couples and families (including children) who come to her while in the process of divorce to find ways to ease the pain of the divorce process, as well as post-divorce family members who are still struggling with finding “a new normal”. Karen works with clients to help them find their resources and skills to be better co-parents and to address other life changes such as entering the workforce, remarrying and or blended (step) family issues.

Karen also enjoys working with individual clients who are looking to find a new focus in their lives as a result of a life milestone including teenagers facing “teenage angst” or lack of identifiable direction, and midlife “re-inventions”.

Karen is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has worked and lived in Broward County since 1981. She holds a Master Degree of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, a Bachelors Degree in Education from Boston University as well as a Masters in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Email : karenkaplan@familytherapyassociates.org

Dr. Debbie Swayman, DMFT, LMFT
Therapist and Director of Therapeutic Services

Debbie is known for her gentle yet direct approach to clients, which clients report is effective and soothing. Her areas of interest and expertise include families coping with children with special needs and issues resulting from chronic pain and illness as well as family members who are dealing with grief and loss. She also works with people facing divorce and blended family adjustment, women’s issues and life and career coaching issues. Debbie enjoys working with individuals, couples and families.

She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has lived and worked in South Florida for over twenty years. She holds a Masters Degree and a Doctorate Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from State University of New York College at Buffalo, and a Masters Degree in Speech/Language Pathology.

In addition she is on the adjunct faculty for graduate studies in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Nova Southeastern University, and is also a clinical member and approved supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Email: DrDebbieSwayman@familytherapyassociates.org

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